The Probability Factor

Chapter Ten-The Next Logical Step

Haldur and I entered our room, and the moment we heard the lock click behind us, he was on me, kissing me everywhere. Staggering over to the bed, we stripped off our clothing, dropping it as we moved. Haldur gently laid me on the bed, before he reached down to untie my boots and pull them off with my shorts and panties. I watched him as he pulled off his own runners and slid his shorts off as well. Crouching over me with a predatory glint in his eye, he began to kiss my naked skin again. Working his way down my body, he gently blew on the hot skin at the apex of my thighs and I arched with the sensation. I let myself revel in the feelings, as he slid his fingers inside me and worked his tongue and lips over all my good spots. Just before I crested, he pulled away, lining his body up with mine. Spreading my legs to accommodate him, he pushed inside of me.

I guess his people have good stamina, as when I was with Greg; we never did it more than once a week. He would complain if I asked for more, saying he was only one man and could do only so much. I was starting to think that perhaps Greg’s philandering had started earlier than I had previously thought.

My attention was pulled back to our lovemaking, as Haldur began to thrust with increasing momentum. I gasped as my body responded with matched fervour. Feeling the familiar pressure build again, I moaned with pleasure. Haldur kissed my skin and whispered some more words in his native tongue, and I felt a shiver run through my body as the presence of power grew in the air around us.

Haldur whispered urgently, “Repeat my words Susan.”

In my delirium I nodded, unable to construct a coherent thought.

“Im anna anim na le,” he whispered.

“Im anna anim na le,” I repeated, having no idea what I was saying.

I felt a burst, as though a bubble in the atmosphere had broken, and a flood of new sensations poured into my body. Everything was heightened; sound, light and smell became more vivid. The feeling of Haldur thrusting into me was amplified to the point that I fell into climax almost violently, and my body contracted around his for what seemed like eternity. I felt Haldur climax just after I started, and I heard him gasp and pant, still thrusting into me, as though his body was on auto-pilot. He said some more words I didn’t understand, but I somehow felt I knew what he was saying. I had the distinct impression that he was talking about ‘forever and always’, but I had no idea how I deduced that from his whispers. Slowly Haldur came to a stop, and my body still pulsed with the aftershocks of the intense orgasm. He rolled off me and curled his body into mine, as we shivered from the sweat of our bodies drying in the air-conditioned room.

When I felt I could speak again, I whispered, “What just happened?”

“We made love,” Haldur evaded, kissing my shoulder.

“Okay, yeah, but I felt this odd sensation of…I dunno. It felt like there was some kind of power in the air, and then we said those words, and all of a sudden everything was on overdrive,” I mused.

Haldur propped himself up on one elbow. “We have bonded,” he said simply.

“You said that in the forest,” I replied, “But there’s more to it, right?”

He looked into my eyes, “What I said in the forest is true. My people bond with only one mate during life. I chose you.”

I felt a surge of understanding run through my body. “As in marriage? One marriage per life?”

He searched my eyes, “Are you all right with that?”

I paused. I knew without a shadow of doubt that I loved Haldur, but marriage? I had only known him for a short while and we had just recently become intimate. Was I ready for that step? I didn’t know. I had figured that after Greg, I’d be alone forever. I wasn’t counting on falling for Haldur.

Haldur nudged me, “It is not like Man’s marriage. It is a promise to be with that person, even when apart. To be a part of that person in spirit. Yes, we have children and run a single household, but we also spend great amounts of time apart. Our lives have just been…” he searched for the right word, “enriched by our agreement to become a part of each other.”

“So, it’s not legal?” I asked.

“It is recognized as a legal bond by my people, but in accordance to your laws; no it is not legal here,” he explained.

“Do I have to go to your home?” I asked, curious.

He paused and spoke carefully, “I do not believe you would be suited to life in my land. You enjoy the comforts of this society, and I think you would miss your technology too much.”

I laughed softly, “I’d be lost without Chapters and A & B Sound.”

Haldur nodded, “You also do not have any battle skills.”

“There’s a lot of war where you live?” I asked.

“Right now there is a great war which will determine the course of the future for my realm. We have also had many periods of peace, but war interrupts on a regular interval,” he said softly.

I nodded, trying to figure out just where his lands were located. I didn’t know of any Caucasian races currently embroiled in any military disputes, other than the Iraqi war.

“Just where is your country?” I asked eager to figure out this puzzle.

Haldur smiled softly at me, “I told you I was from Arda.”

“But where on Earth is Arda? I’ve never heard of this country and I’m pretty good at Geography,” I persisted.

“It is not on this world,” he said enigmatically.

“Not helping,” I retorted, “Just where is this place called Arda?”

“I told you,” he calmly replied, “It is not on this world. Arda is a different world, someplace very far from Earth.”

“And just how do you know this?” I demanded, poking his naked chest.

“I do not know where Arda is in relation to Earth. I am assuming it is far, as you have never heard of it. You have technology that reaches deep into space, so I must deduce that Arda is not within these technologies reach. I can only hope to see my homeland again, but I am happy to spend eternity with you here. I love you and would never leave you voluntarily,” he replied.

I felt a pang of guilt as I realized Haldur really did miss his homeland. I was effectively keeping him from searching for a way back home by being his love, no matter how unintentionally it had happened. I vowed internally that should the opportunity arise, I would assist him in getting home. I had been alone before and I knew that as long as I had his love, even if he wasn’t there, I could deal with the aloneness. I still didn’t quite know what to make of his explanation as to where his home was, but I knew intrinsically that he was telling the truth, no matter how implausible. I kissed his arm that was wrapped around my neck, and smiled. My decision to help him was firmly entrenched and I would do everything I could to see to his happiness. Whether it was with me for the rest of our lives, or seeing him go home and back to the life he missed.

We slept for the rest of the afternoon, lying in each other’s arms, and I dreamt of Haldur and his home. I couldn’t know if I was accurate in my dream depiction of his homeland, but my mind inserted the old growth forests of British Columbia, and homes sitting high in the trees’ canopies, fashioned out of white cloth and foliage. I dreamt of the tree homes lit up at night by soft candlelight, with suspended walkways joining the homes lighted by torches. A tall man and woman greeted us, and the woman seemed to know me and smiled. We had tea under the heavy leaves in the darkness, with the soft glow of lanterns giving us enough light to see our cups by. My mind made these people Haldur’s parents, but I really had no idea why my mind inserted them into the dream. Haldur told them of our bonding, and the woman smiled and clasped my hands in welcome. I woke up still feeling the sense of peace that pervaded my dream, as I lay in Haldur’s arms, staring at the ceiling. Haldur shifted and opened his eyes as I turned to look at him.

“We should get cleaned up for dinner,” I whispered, my voice rough from sleep.

Haldur smiled wickedly at me, “Care to share a shower?”

I grinned and got up, “Last one in’s a rotten egg!”

I started to run for the bathroom door, only to be swept up in Haldur’s arms as he laughed and carried me into the bathroom.

We had a leisurely shower, exploring each other as we cleaned up. I was amazed that not only was I in love, but that he loved me back. I always feel lucky when someone decides to love me, but this was even more amazing. I was positive I was the luckiest person on the planet to have him in my life. I knew I was being a terrible sap, and if I was in my right mind, I’d be scolding me for my romanticism, but as I was in the throes of love, I didn’t much care.

Around 7:45, we had finally finished dressing and decided to go down to the restaurant to wait for June. I remembered the cute guy she was chatting up when we came back from our hike, and decided to ask her how it went. We were only just being seated when June sidled up to our table and sat down.

She barely held back the shit-eating grin that was spread over her face like peanut butter on toast. “Sooo how was your day?” she asked pseudo-innocently.

“It was lovely. The forest was lovely and cool and our hike was invigorating,” I kept a neutral look on my face, “Who were you chatting up this afternoon? He was cute.”

June laughed, “His name is Michael. Isn’t that ironic? However, he’s not American, he’s from Australia. I was with him all afternoon, talking and getting to know him better.”

“How much better?” I asked archly.

“Apparently not as well as you got to know Haldur,” she shot back.

I didn’t have a leg to stand on and she knew it. I didn’t know how, but she knew Haldur and I made home base. I waggled a finger at her.

“Hey, we’re talking about your afternoon, not mine,” I reminded her.

“Yeah, well maybe if you two didn’t look like you’d gotten well and laid, I wouldn’t be talking about your afternoon,” she retorted before she burst out laughing, “I was wondering when you’d finally break down and do it. Jesus, you’re slow!”

“Oh shut up,” I snipped, trying hard not to grin. June so had my number.

We ordered and spent the rest of the evening talking about the resort, the next day’s plans and things we wanted to do before we went back to Vancouver. June managed to flag down her Aussie hunk, and making weak excuses, left Haldur and I alone to enjoy the rest of our night, as she went off to wreak havoc with her prey.

We flopped into bed just before midnight, and I fell asleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow. My dreams were filled with Haldur and our new life together, as I slept deeply in his arms.


Im anna anim na le- I give myself to you